It's frustrating in SF where it seems like the only night time social activities are drinking-related and very few businesses outside of bars/clubs are open past 8pm or so.
One thing I love about going to Asia is the vibrant night time activities that of course includes bars but also night markets and late shopping that is as much for families as it is for bar goers.
Several years ago in San Francisco I started volunteering at a nonprofit theater, doing ticket checkin, will call, ushering, and things like that. Since then it’s grown into a much larger part of my life, and I travel all over the West Coast stage managing for cabarets, circuses, magic shows, and stuff. It’s still all volunteer, mostly low budget local artists who can’t afford to hire high-end professionals. But it’s been amazing, completely revolutionized life in San Francisco for me. Frankly it’s the main reason I haven’t left the city, as I’m kind of burned out on all the tech stuff here. But my circus friends are awesome. If you or anyone else wants to see an entirely different side of San Francisco and make some new friends in the arts community, ping me. Contact info is in my profile.
This has been what struck me the most after visiting Asia (Thailand/Bangkok) for the first time in my life, and even the 2nd time I visited there. At any point of the day or night you can do whatever you want and nobody will bat an eye. I've seen whole families having diner at 4AM in the morning while I was just walking through the city.
Now compared to my own city and country (The Netherlands), people look at me weirdly if I go for a run at 12pm at night. Even though I just got home and this is the only time I have.
It's there. You don't get a city as big and diverse as SF without plenty of things going on at night. You just need to know where to look.
I find it surprising that hardly anyone here mentions music or the arts. Shopping isn't the only nighttime social activity. Go to the theatre, play an instrument, learn to dance.
One thing I love about going to Asia is the vibrant night time activities that of course includes bars but also night markets and late shopping that is as much for families as it is for bar goers.